Programme Area Manager(Birmingham) Maureen Russell Tel 0121 237 8120mrussell@wea.org.uk

Programme Manager (Trade UnionLearning) Jeff Fowler Tel 0121 237 8120jfowler@wea.org.uk

Regional Projects Co-ordinator Howard Croft Tel 0121 237 8133hcroft@wea.org.uk

A report on WEA development education projects in the West Midlands

Community in aSustainable WorldDeveloping a global perspective

The projects highlighted in this report were

supported by the Department for

International Development (DfID) through

the Development Awareness Fund.

Registered charity number 1112775. Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales no 2806910. Registered office: 3rd floor, 70 Clifton Street, London, EC2A 4HB

WEA West Midlands Regional Office 4th floor Lancaster House67 Newhall Street Birmingham B3 1NQ

Tel 0121 237 8120 Fax 0121 237 8121 Email westmidlands@wea.org.uk Website www.westmidlands.wea.org.uk

Out of Africa 4Many Rivers to Cross 6Think Global, Act Local 8What Next? 10

Introduction Contents

The Workers’EducationalAssociation (WEA)has a long tradition of providingcommunity-basedadult learningprogrammes thatpromote a just andsustainable world.

This report describes how the WEA WestMidlands has contributed to public policypriorities by finding new ways of promotingglobal issues, like poverty in developingcountries, and our connections to them,among trade unionists and members ofvoluntary and community organisationswithin the region.

The three examples of project workhighlighted in this report confirm that ‘globallearning' can be a powerful way ofstimulating latent interest in developmentissues.

Partnership has been essential and theorganisations involved were committed toresponding to the needs of localcommunities.

We hope this report will inform and inspireother educational providers to understandthe importance of development education intackling some of the global issues we face.

2

Out of Africa

5

AimTo raise awareness of developmentissues, poverty and trade unionismin adults enrolled on WEA tradeunion education and communityprogrammes throughout the WestMidlands.

This project was developed and delivered inpartnership with Banner Theatre Company.‘Actuality’ performances combining actors,live music, song and video interviews withrefugees and asylum seekers highlightedsocial, economic and political developmentsin African and other developing countries.These were followed by workshopdiscussions facilitated by WEA tutors toidentify how companies, trade unions andindividuals can influence poverty reductionagendas.

When asked to evaluate their experience,participants confirmed that the partnershipproject successfully created an informedand dynamic understanding of the lives ofpeople in developing countries. In particular,they reported that blending visual andperforming arts and media with trade unionstudies provided a rich learning experiencethat has encouraged members to becomeactively involved in internationaldevelopment campaigns and relatedinitiatives.

Key FactsProject Dates:1st April 2007 – 31st March 2010Number of learning programmes: 45Number of venues:10 throughout West Midlands Number of direct beneficiaries:Over 650 adults Learner satisfaction: 75% reported improved knowledge ofinternational development issues followingparticipation

On evaluation forms participants wereasked to provide three words that theythought best described the developmenteducation sessions. The following are arepresentative sample of commentsprovided: ‘innovative’, ‘inspiring’,‘educational’, ‘informative’, ‘Interesting’,‘thought provoking’, ‘challenging’,‘emotional’, ‘insightful’.

Linkswww.westmidlands.wea.org.uk/educational-projectswww.wea.org.ukwww.dfid.gov.ukwww.bannertheatre.co.ukwww.unionlearn.org.uk/education/index.cfmwww.unison.org.uk/international/uidf.aspwww.dea.org.uk

It was brilliant! There is no

better way that the message

could have been delivered.

Many Rivers to Cross Development Education

in Adult Learning (DEAL)

7

I have learnt about global

issues that really affect us all,

even though I am thousands of

miles away from them.

AimTo raise awareness of developmentissues for adults on communityeducation programmes within innercity Birmingham.

In this project we designed and piloted alearning programme among AfricanCaribbean elders using art, literacy andICT to raise awareness of developmentissues through the study of African andAfrican-Caribbean Heritage.

One group planned and produced a textilecollage to help raise awareness of povertyissues in African countries and to look atwhat the UK Government is doing to helpreduce poverty. The collage wassubsequently opened by Mike Foster,Government Minister for InternationalDevelopment, and exhibited for membersof the general public at selected librarieswithin Birmingham.

Another group shared experiences ofmigration and researched DfID’s workwithin developing countries through aseries of study visits to sites includingBirmingham Central Library. Followingtheir research, learners worked on selfdefined projects, such as the history of theFairtrade Foundation. Samples ofcoursework were then uploaded to awebsite hosted by the Central Library.

Key Facts Project Dates: 1 April 2007 – 31st March 2009Project Location: Central Birmingham Number of direct beneficiaries: 60

Linkswww.westmidlands.wea.org.uk/educational-projectswww.connectinghistories.org.uk/exhibitions.aspwww.wea.org.ukwww.dfid.gov.ukwww.fairtrade.org.ukwww.dea.org.uk

Think Global, Act Local

9

The course allowed me to learn

practical numeracy skills while

expanding my understanding of

more global issues.

AimTo promote awareness, knowledgeand understanding of developmentissues among adults in deprivedcommunity settings through skillsfor life programmes.

We are now building on the success of theDEAL project by using it to informdevelopment and delivery of a series ofentirely new literacy and numeracycourses. These are based on the theme ofglobal interdependence.

Successful taster sessions have alreadytaken place at local schools andcommunity centres. Participants played a‘trading game’ where they were put intogroups representing either a developed ordeveloping country with specific resourcesin the world trading system. They then‘visited’ other countries to buy and sellresources. Development issues andpoverty reduction initiatives were thenexplored through tutor led discussiongroups.

Many learners have then enrolled ontolonger programmes that have exploredFair Trade and its growth, MillenniumDevelopment Goals for maternal healthand infant mortality, and issues such assanitation, migration and how developmentthemes are reported in the media.

Key Facts Project Dates: 1 April 2009 – 31st March 2011Project Location: Erdington, Small Heath (Birmingham)Number of direct beneficiaries to date:over 50

Linkswww.westmidlands.wea.org.uk/educational-projectswww.dfid.gov.ukwww.fairtrade.org.ukwww.dea.org.uk

WhatNext?

11

The three projectsdescribed have builtsupport fordevelopment andcommunity cohesion.What we have foundsuggests awillingness in ourcommunities tocontribute to povertyreduction, if peoplehave the knowledge,skills and confidenceto do so.

WEA West Midlands plans to build on thesuccess of these projects by securingalternative sources of funding to expand therange of educational programmes andactivities that are contextualised around thetheme of global learning.

We look forward to moving into newcurriculum areas, and targeting new learnersin different geographical areas of the region,all the while responding to the real, identifiedneeds of the learners.

Credits - Banner Theatre Company, Birmingham Central Library, Trade Union Congress. And affiliated trade unions.Design by Homer Creative. Photography on Cover pages 3 and 10 by Brian Homer.